UNIFEM/IDRC Project “ Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Culture and Vulnerabilities to HIV Transmission” The University of the West Indies HIV&AIDS Response Programme (UWIHARP) Barbados Case Study

Outline 1. Background/Rationale 2. Case Study Objectives 3. Research Questions 4. Methodology 5. Field Work/Data Collection 6. Preliminary Findings

Background/Rationale Part of a larger research project entitled, Building Responsive Policy: Gender, Sexual Culture and HIV&AIDS Part of a larger research project entitled, Building Responsive Policy: Gender, Sexual Culture and HIV&AIDS The project seeks to unravel the complex interlinkages between sexualities, sexual culture, gender relations and the transmission of HIV in the Caribbean. The project is based on the premise that unequal gender relations are central to explaining the transmission of HIV in the Caribbean.

Background/Rationale “Building Responsive Policy: Gender, Sexual Culture and HIV&AIDS” Research is being conducted in 3 countries- Barbados, Suriname and Trinidad Research is being conducted in 3 countries- Barbados, Suriname and Trinidad Funded by IDRC & UNIFEM Funded by IDRC & UNIFEM Research team includes: Research team includes: –IGDS- Trinidad; –UWIHARP- Barbados; –Foundation Ultimate Purpose- Suriname; –York University- Canada Started in July 2008 Started in July 2008 Duration 2 years Duration 2 years

Background/Rationale Adolescent girls in Barbados are a heterogeneous population and include a minority who has adopted a subculture centered on active and assertive female hetero-sexuality. Adolescent girls in Barbados are a heterogeneous population and include a minority who has adopted a subculture centered on active and assertive female hetero-sexuality. The research explores the paradox between the public image and presentation of self and the lived realities of adolescent girls: The research explores the paradox between the public image and presentation of self and the lived realities of adolescent girls: 1.as victims of child sexual and physical abuse; 2.in sexual relationships, including with older males, where they lack agency to negotiate safe sex or personal safety; and 3.within a wider environment of peer group and popular culture that promotes active, ‘at risk’ sexual performance and of formal social institutions (family, school and church) that alternately denies and sanctions their sexuality.

Background/Rationale These variables combine to position adolescent girls as one of the most-at-risk-populations (MARP) in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. These variables combine to position adolescent girls as one of the most-at-risk-populations (MARP) in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. Within this sexual subculture and social context of vulnerability, official policies that promote abstinence, faithfulness and condom use (ABC) become inadequate. Within this sexual subculture and social context of vulnerability, official policies that promote abstinence, faithfulness and condom use (ABC) become inadequate. There is an urgent need to rethink policy for HIV prevention. There is an urgent need to rethink policy for HIV prevention.

Background/Rationale This research builds on earlier project (UNICEF 2005) that revealed the contradictory messages/influences within the wider social environment of adolescent girls. This research builds on earlier project (UNICEF 2005) that revealed the contradictory messages/influences within the wider social environment of adolescent girls. –On the one hand, there is male sexual pressure, the peer group, popular culture and the mass media that promotes active, ‘at risk’ sexual performance. –On the other hand, there are the formal social institutions (family, school and church) that alternately deny and sanction their sexuality (e.g mothers, teachers and other adults suppress any evidence of sexuality and sex among girls). Adolescent girls in Barbados are a heterogeneous population and include a minority who have adopted a subculture centered on active and assertive female hetero-sexuality – “bashment” subculture. Adolescent girls in Barbados are a heterogeneous population and include a minority who have adopted a subculture centered on active and assertive female hetero-sexuality – “bashment” subculture. All these variables (behavioural and cultural) combine to position adolescent girls as one of the most-at-risk-populations (MARP) in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. All these variables (behavioural and cultural) combine to position adolescent girls as one of the most-at-risk-populations (MARP) in Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

CASE STUDY OBJECTIVES 1. To examine the contradictory social constructions of youth femininities and masculinities; 2. To explore the ways in which adolescent girls and boys internalise and demonstrate these constructions in their sexual identities, expressions, experiences and relationship dynamics; 3. To examine intimacy, power and agency and the implications for social and health risks and rewards associated with masculinity and femininity; 4. To inform sexual and reproductive health policies, programmes and services to better respond to unmet needs of adolescent girls

RESEARCH QUESTIONS The questions guiding this research are as follows: The questions guiding this research are as follows: 1. What provokes risky sexual and social identities, behaviours and relationships in some adolescent girls? 2. What is the impact of sexual cultures, unequal gender relations (male power and pressure) on girls sexual vulnerability? 3. How does the wider socio-cultural environment promote the sexual (and physical) vulnerability or the resilience of adolescent girls? 4. What policy interventions would be effective in promoting sexual agency, social protection and human rights among adolescent girls?

METHODOLOGY Qualitative data through semi-structured focus group discussions, individual interviews, and participant observation conducted in collaboration with the Ministries of Education; and Youth, Family & Sports; and other youth networks. Qualitative data through semi-structured focus group discussions, individual interviews, and participant observation conducted in collaboration with the Ministries of Education; and Youth, Family & Sports; and other youth networks. Study population- adolescent girls and boys years; & adult males 20+ years Study population- adolescent girls and boys years; & adult males 20+ years

Field Work/Data Collection Conducted during June-July 2009 Conducted during June-July 2009 –FGDs, FFIs, PO Research domains included Research domains included –16-18 age groups-  Partnered with Youth Development Programme, Ministry of Youth, Family & Sports-  Locations included Checker Hall, St. Lucy; Orange Hill, St. James; Arthur Smith School (FGD & FFI) –Adult males 20+ years- UWI, MESA (FGD) –Public spaces where youth frequent (PO)  Sheraton Mall/Olympus Theatre, Wet Fete (Crop Over event), Club Xtreme (night club), Rockley Beach, Ship Inn (Pub/night club), Camp Enterprise (Queen’s College)

Field Work/Data Collection Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) FGDs were conducted first FGDs were conducted first –Sample size- each FGD had approximately 10 participants  Total 60 pp –6 FGDs-  4 with the age group (2 Males & 2 Females)  2 with adult males (20- 40, 50+) Face-to-Face Indepth Interviews (FFIs) Face-to-Face Indepth Interviews (FFIs) –Sample size- 10 FFIs with females in the age groups –Participants for the FFIs were taken from the FGDs.

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS The four leading risk factors for HIV transmission among adolescent girls identified in the literature include the following: The four leading risk factors for HIV transmission among adolescent girls identified in the literature include the following: 1.Early initiation into sexual behaviours and practices; 2.Inconsistent condom use 3.Intergenerational sexual relationships 4.Multiple and concurrent sexual partners

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Intergenerational Sexual Relationships Older Men and Young Girls Older Men and Young Girls –Reasons for Older Men’s Involvement  Anxiety of losing their youth- reaffirmation of masculinity  Assertion of power, dominance and authority –Reasons for Girls’ Involvement  Encouragement of friends and sometimes parents  Popularity  Financial and emotional security  Material and non-material gain  Sexual experience –Consequences for the Girls (mainly negative)  Little to no bargaining power  Manipulation  Emotional, physical and sexual abuse  Tarnished reputation, rejection from male peers  Exposure to STI/HIV, unplanned pregnancies

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Intergenerational Sexual Relationships Older Women and Young Males Older Women and Young Males –Reasons for Older Women’s Involvement  Assertion of power, dominance and authority –Reasons for Males’ Involvement  Encouragement of friends  Popularity  Material gain  Sexual experience –Consequences for the Males  Manipulation  Enhanced reputation  Exposure to STI/HIV